Custom-designed rifle aims to fit commando's special needs.

• Author: Colucci, Frank
• Position: SPECIAL OPERATIONS - Special operations combat assault rifle

U.S. special operations forces this summer will begin testing a new assault rifle, which is expected to be more accurate and less cumbersome than current weapons.

Known as the special operations combat assault rifle, or SCAR, the weapon comes in 5.56 mm light and 7.62 mm heavy versions that are designated the Mk 16 SCAR-L and Mk 17 SCAR-H. Variants include standard, close quarters combat and sniper.

The SCAR-L is intended for close combat while the SCAR-H is meant for longer ranges. The initial production plan also includes an Mk 18 enhanced grenade launcher. More variants are expected to evolve from the core design.

Troops will be able to fire a variety of ammunition from the same rifle, and the entire SCAR family will have interchangeable parts, said Army Lt. Col. Deac Heilig, systems acquisition manager at the U.S. Special Operations Command.

The manufacturer of the rifle, FN Herstal, is testing different interchangeable barrels, he said in an interview.

Commonality of parts between SCAR versions is meant to reduce the training, supply and maintenance burdens. "Currently our special operations folks have a golf bag filled with guns," said Paul Evancoe, director of military operations at FN Manufacturing. "We've given them a truly modular weapon ... That eliminates the requirement for all the other clubs in the bag."

The SCAR-L will replace the M4A1 close-quarters battle rifle and Mk 12 weapons now used by special operators. The SCAR-H will replace the M14 and Mk 11. All six variants of the two main versions share the same control arrangement, handling and maintenance procedures. "Once you're trained on the gun, it's the same for any variant," said Evancoe.

Common parts also help cut costs, Evancoe noted. "They engineered it with a concept of keeping the cost of manufacturing down for both heavy and light by using just about the same stuff for everything." The one-piece rail and frame of the new rifle enables the operator to change and level barrels quickly, which permits tailoring the gun to different situations. All SCAR versions also use the same accessories, including sights and scopes. They will accommodate the accessory kit known as "special operations peculiar modification," now under development for the current M4 rifle. SCAR can also be fitted with M4-style grips and other aftermarket items. "Special ops guys love to customize their personal weapons," said Evancoe.

SOCOM launched the program in September 2003, and touted SCAR as...